Dispose of Hazardous Materials Properly

It's Easy to Start a Recycling Program

Become a Certified Green Business!

Click here to find out more...

Businesses are vital for a community to thrive. They offer housing, food and financial and medical services and more. Every business generates waste materials on a daily basis. Most of these materials can be diverted from disposal at a landfill. With the right knowledge and tools, any business can operate more sustainably.

Many businesses are creating Sustainability teams to find ways for their business to be a leader in the community. We can provide resources to help to make your business Green in many ways. To become a certified Green Business click here for further information.

Mandatory Commercial Recycling Effective July 1, 2012

State law AB341 took effect on July 1, 2012. If your business is generating 4 cubic yards or more per week or your Apartment building has more than 5 units then you must have recycling service in order to be in compliance with the law. RecycleMore can help you comply with this new law. We have staff that can conduct an analysis of your waste stream and provide suggestions on how to reduce the amount thrown away. We can provide training to employees or tenants and get them motivated to recycle more and produce less.

(Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery) has also recently passed a State law that will require the State to get to 75% waste diversion by the year 2020 http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/75Percent/. While West Contra Costa County is doing well towards this goal, there is always room for improvement. If your business would like to improve its waste diversion activities, contact RecycleMore at 510-215-3125.

Commercial FAQs

What is AB341?This new State law went into effect on July 1, 2012 and makes it mandatory for all businesses and apartment buildings with 5 or more units that generate more than 4 cubic yards of waste per week to have recycling service. RecycleMore has created informative flyers and posters for businesses to place at their offices.

Does AB341 apply to my business?If your business generates 4 cubic yards or more a week of garbage or if your apartment complex has more than 5 units, then yes, AB341 applies to your business.

How do I find out how much is being generated at my business?Review your garbage bill from Republic Services or East Bay Sanitary (El Cerrito). It will show what size bin you have and how often it is picked up each week. Or call Republic Services customer service at 510-262-7100.

Who do I call for help with starting a Recycling program? You have different choices. RecycleMore can help you get started. We have staff and resources to help you create a recycling program. There are also staff at City level that can help you with other environmental issues such as water and energy use.

What do we do with Electronic Waste or other outdated equipment?The Permanent HHW facility allows residents and small businesses in West Contra Costa County to drop off e-waste. It is located at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond. Also the El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center takes e-waste (click link: http://www.el-cerrito.org/index.aspx?NID=336) Outdated equipment is a bit harder to find places that recycle it. Contact the manufacturer first to see if they will take it back or have local resources. Also visit www.Earth911 to see if there are local companies that will take it.

I see people going through by bin, who should I call? Although this is illegal and dangerous, most police and code enforcement departments do not have the resources to stop this practice. You can contact Republic services to see if they can provide you with a lock. Put up a sign that says no scavenging or loitering should also help.

Where can I donate old office furniture?Craigslist & FreeCycle.org websites are good places to start. Also Urban Ore in Berkeley will accept most types. Call first.

We get a lot of Styrofoam from vendors. Where can this be recycled?First ask your supplier to not use Styrofoam packaging. The El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center at 7501 Schmidt Lane accepts the material. El Cerrito accepts ONLY White block polystyrene foam - No food containers, peanuts, other types of foam, or wrapping material (UPS will take peanuts).

Where can I purchase recycled content office supplies? Many office supply stores now have green catalogs just ask for it. Staples, Office Max, Office Depot and Radstons (local Green Business) all can be accessed online.If your business doesn’t already incorporate Environmental Purchasing Program (EPP) principals in its operation, then visit this website for more information http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/EPP/

Can my business recycle food scraps?This depends on where your business is located.El Cerrito businesses can now recycle food scraps. Contact the El Cerrito Environmental and Resource Recycling Center at 510-215-4350 to get started. For Republic Services customers, your business may request a green waste cart. The green waste cart is 64 gallons and a business such as florist, coffee shop or produce market can put in dead flowers, plants and uncooked vegetables. For larger businesses that generate a lot of green waste, contact Republic Services at 510-262-7100 for a roll-off box. Businesses that want to start an on-site compost program, can call Recyclemore or visit the Compost section on this website.

Foodscrap Composting for Commercial Customers

scraps, etc. This innovative program will divert food scraps and other organicmaterials from landfill disposal and turn it into compost. This program is FREE with garbage service!

In addition to special containers (sizes vary) for storage of materials, Republic Services will provide signs and posters to help remind staff how to participate in the food scraps and composting program. A collection schedule will be established with the program collector, Republic Services. Republic is able to make multiple collections per week and prevent creating a nuisance.

Additional savings can be realized by diverting all or as much organics from garbage disposal as possible. This is because businesses pay for garbage disposal that includes organics service. By removing food scraps from your garbage, businesses are able to reduce garbage collection service that will reduce their costs!

Contact a Recycling Coordinator to discuss how we can help optimize your organics and recyclables diversion potential. Please email:recyclingcoordinators@republicservices.com, or call our Customer Service Representatives at (510) 262-7100 to increase recycling and composting services.

Recyclemore has updated the Introductory Guide to the Construction & Demolition Waste Management Plan for the CALGreen Building Code to help contractors /owners/builders understand the requirements of Sections 4.408 & 5.408.1 –5.408.4 which refers to the requirement for a Construction Waste Management Plan (CWMP) and to the mandatory 50% diversion for Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris. More information can be obtained from your city’s building and planning department.

The Golden Bear Transfer Station (GBTS) is located at the foot of Parr Blvd in North Richmond off the Richmond Parkway. All waste generated in the surrounding communities is dumped on the transfer station floor and loaded into large transfer trailers and taken to the Keller Canyon Landfill in Pittsburg. Self-hauled waste is also dumped at the GBTS for a fee. Clean source-separated debris such as landscape materials, clean lumber or clean concrete is recycled at the nearby West Contra Costa County Sanitary Landfill Processing Facility.

Contractors who are on job sites that must (by law) have their material recycled need to let the scale house know of this requirement. The loads will be handled differently and a tag will be issued that states the materials were recycled.

More information can be obtained by calling Golden Bear Transfer Station at 510-970-7242.

West Contra Costa County Sanitary Landfill Processing Facility:

This facility is located at the foot of Parr Blvd in North Richmond off the Richmond Parkway. This facility is accepting clean source-separated debris such as landscape materials, clean lumber, or clean concrete. The materials are used on site or recycled on a separate section of the closed landfill. Mixed load of construction debris are accepted for recycling (no wet garbage allowed). Call (510) 970-7242 for more information.